Helen Skelton ready for selfie with Shropshire fans at social media gathering
Selfies are almost second nature for teenagers – so when Shropshire teenagers met up with their hero from Blue Peter it was natural they should get her to pose up.
Lydia Greatrix met Helen Skelton, a former favourite from the BBC show, at a book signing.
The experience was also a real illustration of the power of social media, as she also met up with online friends she had never actually seen in person before.
The 16-year-old joined up with two friends from Merseyside and Yorkshire she had previously made via chatrooms.
"It's been a fantastic day, so exciting," said Lydia, of Hinstock, near Market Drayton, who travelled to the signing at Warrington's Golden Square Shopping Centre with her twin brother Elliot and their mother Carol. Helen was at the centre's Waterstones to sign copies of her new children's adventure story book, Amy Wild: Amazon Summer, based on her own adventures along the South American river for Sport Relief.
Lydia also met two girls she'd struck up a friendship with though social media, Helena Burton, 12, of Widnes, and Molly Baigent, 16, who travelled from Halifax for the event.
Helena said: "We have been in contact through social media for some time and I regularly Skype with Molly but this is the first time we have all three met up face to face. It's been really exciting.
"We're all big fans of Helen so it is fantastic that we have met up and been able to speak to her on the same day." Helen, 31, said: "It was great to meet Lydia and Elliot and I am very happy to pose for a selfie."
Accompanying Helen to the event was her husband Richie, who plays rugby league for Warrington Wolves and England.
Helen, who is expecting her first baby in four weeks time, was touched that some people brought along small gifts for the couple's expected new arrival.
"Richie and I don't know if it will be a boy or girl yet. We decided to let it be a surprise," said Helen, who lives in Stockton Heath, Warrington.
After Blue Peter, Helen went on to appear in Countryfile and Holiday Hit Squad. She is also well known for her presenting and commentary work with BBC sports and BT Sport, and live coverage of the FA Women's Super League football matches.
